What Happened to the Ban on Assault Weapons?
By JIMMY CARTER
Published: April 26, 2009
Atlanta

Times Topics: Gun Control
THE evolution in public policy concerning the manufacture, sale and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons like AK-47s, AR-15s and Uzis has been very disturbing. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and I all supported a ban on these formidable firearms, and one was finally passed in 1994.

When the 10-year ban was set to expire, many police organizations — including 1,100 police chiefs and sheriffs from around the nation — called on Congress and President George W. Bush to renew and strengthen it. But with a wink from the White House, the gun lobby prevailed and the ban expired.

I have used weapons since I was big enough to carry one, and now own two handguns, four shotguns and three rifles, two with scopes. I use them carefully, for hunting game from our family woods and fields, and occasionally for hunting with my family and friends in other places. We cherish the right to own a gun and some of my hunting companions like to collect rare weapons. One of them is a superb craftsman who makes muzzle-loading rifles, one of which I displayed for four years in my private White House office.

But none of us wants to own an assault weapon, because we have no desire to kill policemen or go to a school or workplace to see how many victims we can accumulate before we are finally shot or take our own lives. That’s why the White House and Congress must not give up on trying to reinstate a ban on assault weapons, even if it may be politically difficult.

An overwhelming majority of Americans, including me and my hunting companions, believe in the right to own weapons, but surveys show that they also support modest restraints like background checks, mandatory registration and brief waiting periods before purchase.

A majority of Americans also support banning assault weapons. Many of us who hunt are dismayed by some of the more extreme policies of the National Rifle Association, the most prominent voice in opposition to a ban, and by the timidity of public officials who yield to the group’s unreasonable demands.

Heavily influenced and supported by the firearms industry, N.R.A. leaders have misled many gullible people into believing that our weapons are going to be taken away from us, and that homeowners will be deprived of the right to protect ourselves and our families. The N.R.A. would be justified in its efforts if there was a real threat to our constitutional right to bear arms. But that is not the case.

Instead, the N.R.A. is defending criminals’ access to assault weapons and use of ammunition that can penetrate protective clothing worn by police officers on duty. In addition, while the N.R.A. seems to have reluctantly accepted current law restricting sales by licensed gun dealers to convicted felons, it claims that only “law-abiding people” obey such restrictions — and it opposes applying them to private gun dealers or those who sell all kinds of weapons from the back of a van or pickup truck at gun shows.

What are the results of this profligate ownership and use of guns designed to kill people? In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 30,000 people died from firearms, accounting for nearly 20 percent of all injury deaths. In 2005, every nine hours a child or teenager in the United States was killed in a firearm-related accident or suicide.

Across our border, Mexican drug cartels are being armed with advanced weaponry imported from the United States — a reality only the N.R.A. seems to dispute.

The gun lobby and the firearms industry should reassess their policies concerning safety and accountability — at least on assault weapons — and ease their pressure on acquiescent politicians who fear N.R.A. disapproval at election time. We can’t let the N.R.A.’s political blackmail prevent the banning of assault weapons — designed only to kill police officers and the people they defend.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president, is the winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize.

As far as understand, Ryo know about what is call, "Look alike" law idea. This basically mean if weapon have pistol grip, it assault rifle, but if not have pistol grip it just ordinary semi auto rifle. But ryo get your point. You can do much damage with "ordinary semi-auto rifle" and with right round could easy penetrate body armor. Gomen nasai, this mean i very sorry, that ryo is not political person. Politic too complicate for me. Ryo will stick to what know, math and science and include military science and science of make military weaponry and uses and tactic and strategy behind such.
Thank you for listen.

Jimmy Carter doesn't want to hear from you Schuyler...haha, liberals, if you noticed very rarely debate anyone, the just talk with and agree with their own kind. They are emotional...like little girls and rarely use logic or facts! For any liberal out there, that was meant as a joke, sort of. I mean really, I wouldn't want to lump all of you together and hurt all of your feelings. Send your response to the NY Times...I am sure they will publish it

PKato

Patrolman Kato
Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.
They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone
under independence. -- George Washington

George W said he would sign the assault weapons ban if presented to him. The PBA said the assault weapon ban did not effect violent crime.
Also the NRA stance was to prosecute criminals and eliminate plea bargains that eliminate the illegal handgun charge.
The main point of Mayor Bloomberg and Governor spitzer was that prosecuting the gun charge would be disproportionately directed to minorities.
Fuck this guy.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do

understanding how people can actually put up with this shit. "We have guns, but we don't want assault weapons". Well congratu-fucking-lations, numbnuts. I do. I want two of every gun ever made. I don't get these fucking libs. Do I say everyone should have a gun? Do I say everyone should own a gas-guzzling 1973 Chevy Nova SS? Do i tell people how to live their lives? No. These motherfuckers are messing with the wrong people. We are the ones with the firepower. We are the ones with the guns saying "Leave me the fuck alone". These people are going to reap what they sow. I may sound a bit MannyG-ish, but these fucking libs have no idea what they're dealing with. they think people with AKs and ARs are the only threats. If these people continue to alienate us and push us, they will see the ugly black guns are only the tip of the ballistic iceberg.

"I have always been a soldier. I have known no other life. The calling of arms, I have followed from boyhood. I have never sought another." From The Virtues of War, by Steven Pressfield.

Ryo agree. Ryo not have problem with freedom of speech. Have little bit problem with language of hate, but that nother thing. Am glad Ryo is not political person. Try to follow politcal discussions on site so can learn, but when people talk hate and foul language it overcomplicate subject already much too complicate for self. Know people here have good hearts and some have good minds and some have good humor, is bit of everything here. Is good education for teen boy like self. But would wish people make language so that younger persons on site can understand better. It you and Clint san and Charley8toe san and Reaper chan and Victor chan and Greasypaws san, and uglymech chan, who have make sincere apology to ryo about thing last week, and we exchange many pm now and we have make friends and all is forgive and forget. Ryo like uglymech very much now. He smart and he good father too.
But politic frustrate ryo so much cause people who talk politic make more complicate than should be neh ka